Stoke City skipper Ryan Shawcross has been so impressed with Kurt Zouma’s early-season form that he has proclaimed him one of the two best central defenders in the country right now.

Zouma has quickly become a firm favourite at the bet365 after turning in consistent displays at the heart of Stoke’s ever-changing rearguard.

He has played in every minute of every Premier League game bar the 90 he was forced to sit out against parent club Chelsea.

And Shawcross, who has watched him from the stands and close up during his own stop-start campaign, enthuses: “He’s quick, he can jump really high, he can pass the ball, he can shoot, he doesn’t get beat one-v-one. He’s like the ultimate defender.

“I think him and (Toby) Alderweireld are the top two centre halves in the country at the moment.”

Read More

Shawcross confesses that he was surprised Chelsea agreed to loan out the 23 year-old French international to Stoke City after Blues boss Antonio Conte declared him surplus to requirements, for now, as he continues his return from a long-term injury.

Zouma is Stoke’s third Chelsea loanee in recent years - after Victor Moses and Marco van Ginkel - and Shawcross says: “I wasn’t surprised we got him because obviously we’ve got a good link with Chelsea, but I was surprised they let him go just because they’ve not had the greatest starts and I really do think he’s going to turn out to be one of the top centre halves in the country.

“For them to let him go to us is fantastic for us, but surprising.

(Image: Getty)

“I think Kurt has done brilliantly. He’s played a lot of games previously and it’s a great test for him to come here.

“He’s experienced things he probably hasn’t done at Chelsea, tough losses. I don’t think he will ever get beat by seven goals at Chelsea, so it’s difficult, but it’s good for his character and experience as a footballer.”

Shawcross has also been supportive of Kevin Wimmer following his tough start to life at Stoke following his £18m move from Tottenham in the summer.